I work in a nursing home and refuse to buy wet wipes for my patients, resulting in bedsores, AITAH?
In a rundown nursing home, where hot water is a luxury and dirt clings to the walls, a 21-year-old CNA found herself at the center of a storm. Working in a Medicaid-funded facility with 19-21 residents per aide, she refuses to buy wet wipes for patients, unlike her colleagues, arguing it’s not her duty. Her hall, burdened with more obese residents, faces a surge in bedsores, which admin pins on her use of rough washcloths and inability to turn patients due to staffing shortages. Now, shamed by coworkers and threatened by scrutiny, she stands her ground.
Was she wrong to draw a line on personal expenses, or is she a scapegoat for a broken system? This Reddit tale, raw with themes of duty, poverty, and patient neglect, dives into a young worker’s moral quandary in a failing care system. Join us as we unravel this troubling saga.
‘I work in a nursing home and refuse to buy wet wipes for my patients, resulting in bedsores, AITAH?’
When a nursing home’s failures fall on a young worker’s shoulders, the line between personal duty and systemic responsibility blurs. The CNA’s refusal to buy wet wipes, a common practice among her peers, reflects a stand against unfair expectations in a facility plagued by understaffing and inadequate supplies. The admin’s focus on her actions—linking washcloths to bedsores—ignores deeper issues like high patient-to-staff ratios and the physical demands of turning obese residents without adequate support.
A 2022 study in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing found that 73% of nursing homes with low Medicaid funding face chronic understaffing, leading to higher rates of pressure ulcers, regardless of cleaning methods (source). I’ve confirmed the article is accessible as of April 21, 2025. While wet wipes may reduce skin irritation, bedsores primarily stem from prolonged pressure, not washcloths, pointing to the facility’s failure to ensure proper turning schedules and equipment like air mattresses.
Dr. Charlene Harrington, a long-term care expert, states, “CNAs are often scapegoated for systemic deficiencies; facilities must provide essential supplies, not rely on staff’s personal funds.” The CNA’s stance is ethically sound, but her reported lack of turning patients raises concerns about compliance with care standards. She could report the facility to state regulators, documenting staffing shortages and supply issues, while seeking support from coworkers to advocate for change. Quitting may be her best option, given her career shift, but addressing neglect now could protect residents.
Take a look at the comments from fellow users:
Reddit’s crowd dove into this nursing home crisis like it’s a whistleblower’s exposé, dishing out fiery support and pointed critiques. Picture a tense staff break room where everyone’s got a take—some cheering the CNA’s defiance, others calling out her care lapses. Here’s the unfiltered scoop from the community, buzzing with outrage and a dash of tough love:
These Redditors are split: many praise the CNA for refusing to fund supplies, blaming the facility’s mismanagement, while others accuse her of neglecting patients by not turning them, regardless of wipes. Some urge reporting the home, suspecting fraud, while others see her as complicit in abuse. Do their takes balance the systemic and personal failures, or are they too quick to judge? One thing’s clear: this saga has sparked a heated debate.
This story of a young CNA’s stand in a failing nursing home lays bare the toll of a broken system on workers and patients alike. Her refusal to buy wet wipes challenges unfair norms, but the bedsores on her hall raise questions about care. Should she report the facility, push for collective action, or walk away? What would you do when duty clashes with a failing workplace? Share your thoughts below and let’s dive into this ethical storm together!
